Dear Karen: A Letter After Her Nashville Boudoir Session

Is boudoir for a retired grandmother who has never posed for a camera in her life? Yes, and Karen J. is my proof. She served 22 years in the US Army, retired, and found us while searching online for, in her words, something she never thought she could do. Karen asked to keep her photos private, so this post is all words. Instead of telling her story for her, I wrote her a letter.

Dear Karen,

Thank you for trusting me with your story. You introduced yourself as a 60 year old grandmother who served 22 years in the US Army, and then you wrote this:

“Loving the Lord, life, family and being retired. Doing what makes me happy.”

I have read that line about ten times. It might be my favorite introduction ever.

You told me you came in with no expectations. You just wanted to try a boudoir shoot and get your makeup done. Then you went and described the whole thing like this:

“The experience was a blast. I loved trying on different outfits and the makeup session was fire.”

Fire! That one made my whole week.

You were nervous before your Nashville boudoir session, and you listened anyway

Almost every woman who walks through my door is nervous, so you were in very good company. What you did with those nerves is the part I want the next woman to hear:

“I was nervous, but the photographer has the ability to get you in a zone if you listen to her and relax. The pictures will turn out great.”

22 years in the Army and you still let me give the orders for an afternoon. I do not take that lightly. Here is how you said it felt once you settled in:

“I felt sexy and wasn't concerned with my body. I can't express the importance of listening to the photographer.”

Your favorite part was the hair and makeup, trying on outfits and getting comfortable with the poses. That is exactly the order it is supposed to happen in, and you nailed every step.

What you taught me about loving your body at any age

When you saw your images, you said you were truly impressed that they turned out better than you expected. Then you wrote the paragraph I would like every woman reading this to sit with for a minute:

“The session made me realize that I can do anything I set my mind to. I embrace my body and no reason to feel you need to be in shape or perfect, we are all different and have our own unique beauty inside and out.”

You also told me nothing has changed since your session, and I love that honesty. You walked in already loving your life, and you walked out with photos that match it. Keeping them just for you is completely your call, and I think that is beautiful too.

When I asked what advice you would give the next woman, you kept it short:

“Just do it, you won't be sorry.”

Yes ma'am.

Thank you for your service, for your sweet words about how you were treated “from the time you enter until you leave,” and for letting me share this.

Love,
Holly

Can I do a boudoir session and keep my photos private?

Yes. Your images belong to you. Plenty of my clients never share a single frame. Karen asked to keep hers private, so this post has no photos of her. We only feature a client's images when she gives us written permission.

Thinking about your own session? Our mature boudoir portfolio shows women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, and the booking guide walks you through pricing, what to wear and how to grab a date.